Page 20 - HSLChristmasAnthology

HSL Christmas Anthology page 20

20 THE TOKEN.
just such as he could not buy, ‘just such as nobody but
Lizzy could knit, at least so he thought, and thanking
and kissing her, he said, ‘well, well, Lizzy, wear the
ring to-day, and after that ’ —
‘ I may still wear it, papa ? ’
‘I’ll consider ofit my child.’
‘ C’est le premier pas qui cofite,’ thought Lizzy, and
with a light heart and joyous face, she bounded away
to perform her next duty. Lizzy’s duties were so
blended with pleasure, that she no more separated them,
than the naked eye separates the twisted ray of light.
‘ Come with me Madeline,’ she said. Madeline
followed, marvelling at the young lady who, even in
her love passages, dared to walk in light. These
humble persons are prompt to discern truth and recti
tude, and to imbibe its influence from their superiors
in station !
In a few minutes Lizzy and her maiden were on their
way to the Sixth Avenue, where lived a certain widow
Carey, who, with her four children, had long been blessed
with Lizzy’s friendship. This young lady not content
ing herself with setting down her father’s name as a
subscriber to the Widow’s Society, literally and most
religiously obeyed the command which recognises the
first duty of the rich to the poor, and ‘ visited the widow
and the orphan,’ and not only lightened their burdens,
but partook their happiness. The poor feel a sympathy
in their joys more than the relief that is vouchsafed to
their miseries, for that always reminds them of the
superior condition of the bestower. Madeline carried
on her arm a basket containing substantial gifts for the
Careys, prepared by Lizzy’s own hands, and an abund